Candyfloss & Dreams

Author: Kat Candyfloss

  • Evie’s Bedroom Makeover – Part 2

    We have gradually been trying to improve Evie’s room. By improve I mean throw away a lot of old toys that do not work and do not get played with. This has been a big success and we’ve now got a nice big toy storage unit to keep everything together. Everything now has a proper place and the room is, most of the time, pretty easy to keep tidy. I say pretty easy, but children are very good at making a big mess out of not a lot of stuff!

    New bedding has really helped make the room look like a new room and we recently received this gorgeous set of Owl bedding set from Room to Grow. It’s a single duvet cover and pillow case which goes really nicely with her pink and cream (well, magnolia) walls. I love the cute Owl design and think it’s pretty age appropriate now that she is 7! The bedding feels really nice and has buttons to do it up in the end rather than poppers. I usually prefer poppers because making beds is something I want to get over and done with but the buttons are nice and big and can be done up very quickly.

    Evie still has a lot of soft toys which I’m kind of reluctant to get rid of because she really does play with them all. I think we might have to say goodbye to a few of the more threadbare or opening at the seams ones though because, well, she has about 500 of them. Honestly, soft toys are such a popular thing with Evie. She is currently collecting the little Disney Tsum Tsums which are super cute. I’m glad we’ve had a good sort out, especially with Christmas coming up. She now has so much more space in her tiny box room and now I have a much better idea of the toys she actually loves to play with rather than stuff I think she’ll love to play with.

    Disclaimer: We were sent a single set of bedding in exchange for this feature. All opinions are my own.

  • Considering Plastic Surgery? A Few Things To Think About

    I am all about body confidence and promoting a healthy body image. I really do believe that a lot of people, particularly women, suffer from self-esteem, body confidence, and appearance anxiety issues because we live in an age where beauty matters. There are a lot of things you can do to improve your self-confidence and body image including living a healthy and active lifestyle, however, there are some things and some parts of the body that can’t really be controlled, altered or improved. It isn’t always about making something look better or bigger either, sometimes people just aren’t happy with the shape of their nose, their breasts, they want a more natural look and they believe that improving this would give their self-confidence a boost. In my experience I’ve known a lot of friends have corrective and plastic surgery for enhancements and the change in their mentality is amazing. It’s like I have a new, confident friend that has had a big self-esteem boost.

    There are so many procedures and surgeries available these days to help you change your body shape. The most important thing to think about is why you want to make a change and of course using a reputable surgeon to go through this with you. It isn’t all about enhancements either, some people speak to a plastic surgeon for reductions and non-invasive treatments  like a FUE hair transplant which are becoming very popular. Plastic surgery can be something to consider after weight loss or to help burn victims with scaring.

    If you’re considering plastic surgery there are a few things to think about.

    1. Use a registered, well practised and well documented plastic surgeon. There are often directories online that will help you find a reputable surgeon close to your home such as plastic surgery Toronto.
    2. Attend a consultation. Most surgeons will offer this to understand what it is you want and how best they can help you. This will explain the procedure, recovery and give you a chance to ask any questions.
    3. Speak to friends who have had surgery. Getting a personal feel for the recovery period and the enhancement that’s been had is a great experience. A friend can help talk you through everything and again be able to answer some questions.
    4. Join group boards and forums to speak with other people that have experienced plastic surgery or are going through the same process as you. Support is vital and again will give you answers to questions and help you decide if plastic surgery is the right thing for you.
    5. Make sure you can book adequate time away from work or get help in the home during recovery. You will still be undergoing a surgical procedure and you will need to rest during your recovery. Making sure you can do this in peace or at least with help and support is key. Speak to your surgeon about concerns you may have when booking time off.

    These are just a few things to consider when thinking about plastic surgery. It’s important you speak to a health professional about your plans. Ultimately this is an incredibly personal decision and is something that will alter your body. If you go through with this make sure you’re doing it for you, not to impress others. Your happiness is what is important and if you’re happy with your body then really think about whether you need to make a permanent change. If you’re unhappy then make sure you get the right advice and you’re working with a surgeon that wants to help improve your confidence and create a positive body image.

    This is a collaborative post. 

  • Our #HealthyRedMeat Challenge

    This post is an entry for the BritMums #HealthyRedMeat, sponsored by the Meat Advisory Panel.

    Our go to meat is usually chicken as it’s a firm family favourite however we do also enjoy red meat from time to time too. Working with Britmums and the Meat Advisory Panel I was provided with a £10 voucher to go and grab some read meat and get cooking. I felt quite inspired and wanted to make some really tasty meals for the family. I decided on our meat and purchased some lean diced casserole beef and a lovely big portion of lamb for a roast dinner. I very rarely make a roast dinner because I’m not really a fan but Evie absolutely loves them and Adam and I both enjoyed the change to our usual Sunday food.

    Using the beef we made a big tasty beef stew with lots of vegetables, lentils and dumplings. I seared the beef first and then cooked up onions and garlic. I added the beef back into the onions and cooked for a few minutes before moving over to a big pan of beef stock that I had been simmering. I then roughly chopped our vegetables and added a portion of lentils. The dumplings were added fifteen minutes before I dished everything up.

    Using the lamb we had a lovely big roast dinner with roast potatoes, stuffing, Yorkshire puddings, carrots, brocolli, cauliflower and a mint gravy. It was really lovely and filling and the lamb was nice and tender. I do really quite like lamb when it’s roasted and it’s not a meat we have very often. Evie wasn’t convinced but I was proud she did actually try some. The beef stew was much more to her taste. We really did go all out with our roast because all the trimmings really make it a tasty, filling and fun meal.

    Healthy Red Meat Challenge Roast Lamb Dinner

    I’ve always enjoyed eating meat and don’t really remember a time without it. I love making chilli, burgers and burritos with mince but it was nice to try making something new this week. I am really trying to educate myself about nutrition and what we put into our bodies to act as fuel, what gives us a boost in vitamins and essential nutrients that we need to function optimally. I really believe that there should be a healthy balance of flavours, textures and colours on every plate and red meat is a good source for this. Some interesting points to consider when thinking about food and what we eat:

    • Red meat provides a range of important nutrients that are often low in toddlers and children – including iron, zinc, and B vitamins, selenium and potassium.
    • Red meat has been in the spotlight recently, and experts fear that the nutritional benefits have been overshadowed by misleading negative views. To cut through the confusion, the Meat Advisory Panel, an independent group of health and nutrition experts, is partnering with BritMums to promote red meat in the diets of children.
    • Dr Emma Derbyshire, a public health nutritionist and mother, says: “Including a small portion of red meat in the diet a few times a week after weaning can help to bridge nutrient gaps and so help to maintain good health through childhood and beyond.”

    Do you eat a lot of red meat in your meals? 

  • This Is For Girls, And That Is For Boys

    This Is For Girls, And That Is For Boys

    I can’t even begin to tell you how much rage “that’s for girls, that’s for boys” makes me feel. Pretty angry to be honest, especially when it’s said to my daughter. I remember learning about gender stereotypes when I was 14 and it shook me then with so much anger. I was determined that if I ever had children, and at 14 I was pretty adamant I never would, never tell them something was for girls and something was for boys because it is a massive lie. A teacher got us to look through the Argos catalogue and see who was playing with trains and mechanic sets and who was playing with dolls and kitchens. It’s still done to this day. It is reinforcing that girls are the homemakers, the babymakers, the cooks, cleaners, the mothers and that’s all they are good for. It’s showing that boys will grow up to do and be, and girls will be left behind. Girls and boys can play, do, be whatever they want to be. They have choices. That is just a simple fact that so many people want to battle against. So many people say oh no you can’t play with that. But what really annoys me most is that it’s not really my daughter that’s told she can’t do this, that or the other but other little boys who are told they can’t play with “girls” things.

    I mean, I have an incredibly pink daughter. She loves dressing up, collecting Shopkins and colouring. She also runs incredibly fast, is super strong and active, is fearless and eats so much food. I am talking all the food here. She isn’t afraid to throw a ball around, she gets filthy and have I said she runs fast? She has so much energy. She can be quite reserved at times and yes I suppose I would describe her as feminine. When I was growing up my sister was not the same as me. I was quite feminine growing up and my sister was not. She was boisterous, she threw things, she liked football and can I just say she’s was really good at it. She was a bit scruffy, she doesn’t really do makeup and the first time I saw her in a dress (where she didn’t negotiate carrying a toy gun and a sheriffs badge) was her prom at sixteen. I have never heard anyone say to her that she shouldn’t play football and she should dress nicer because she’s a girl. I don’t really think the issue is with girls.

    Now I believe that every parent makes the right decision for bringing up their children. I also believe that children will pick the toys they want to play with. I know a lot of boys that choose cars over dolls and a lot of girls that do the opposite. I know some that do both. Neither option is wrong and children should be free to choose. I know that there are girls that like “girly” things and there are boys that want to hulk smash and play cars all the time. That is completely fine. What I absolutely hate is when my daughter hears that something is for girls, and something is for boys. That boys shouldn’t play with dolls, with makeup, with dressing up things. It doesn’t matter if they’re not interested in it, please don’t say that some things are for girls in front of my daughter. Please don’t say that boys can’t do this, that or the other. It is a horrible thing to say.

    What you are effectively saying to my daughter when you say boys can’t play with this, is that only girls should. It’s reinforcing gender stereotypes. It’s so much bigger than just girls and boys playing with toys. Saying it over and over and over is going to make my daughter believe that if she ever sees a boy playing with something he shouldn’t she will feel it’s wrong. You are pushing your stereotypes onto my child and that is not how I parent. I never, ever tell her things are just for boys and just for girls because it is not true. I want my daughter to grow up confident in her own mind that she can do what she wants. If she wants to be a homemaker and raise loads of kids then I will love and support her choice, if she wants to have a city career I will help push her to the top and if she wants to do both then I will be there as her cheerleader.

    If I ever have a son and he wants to play with dolls, dress up as a Disney princess and push prams I will buy him what he wants. If he wants to play video games, play football and run all the time I will support him and if he wants to do both then that is absolutely fine with me. I will never, ever tell him that he can’t have what he want’s because it’s “just for girls.” Just because he wants to do things that others might consider girly or feminine will not “turn him gay”. Do you know what it will do? It will lead him into a happy fulfilled life where he fully knows himself and isn’t at risk of suppressing how he feels. It will ensure that he is respectful to women and other men, that he will accept people for their choices that they make in their lives because he has been allowed to do so on his own.

    The point is that there are some amazing men out in the world that are makeup artists, chefs, cooks and of course amazing fathers. There are women that are fantastic politicians, bankers, city careers and mothers at the same time. They became who they are because they were allowed to discover what they loved, hopefully free from stereotypes.

    You can let your child play with whatever you want. But please don’t tell my daughter that this is for girls, and that is for boys. 

    This Is For Girls, That Is For Boys, The problems with gender stereotyping

    This Mum's Life
    3 Little Buttons
    Mummascribbles
    Mummy in a Tutu
  • Helpful Advice For First-Time Home Buyers

    Helpful Advice For First-Time Home Buyers

    This is a collaborative post.

    (image source)

    Buying a house for the first time is an exciting, yet stressful experience. This is one of the biggest purchases you will ever make in your life, so you want to get it right. Should you be about to embark on this momentous and life-changing chapter in your life, we have some helpful advice for you.

    Is it right for you?

    For starters, are you in the right place to buy a home for the first time? Consider your personal circumstances. If your life is open to change, such as getting married or moving on in your career, then renting accommodation may be the better answer. You need to be in a stable place in your life, so take a step back before you embark on the home buying process.

    Dealing with your finances

    The financial aspect of buying a house is the biggest worry for first-time buyers. However, you can make it easier for yourself by saving as early as you can. You will need money to put down a down payment, as well as those other ‘extras’ that come with owning a home, such as insurance costs and utility bills.

    When it comes to getting a mortgage, shop around. There is no need to stick with your regular bank if you can get a better mortgage rate elsewhere. As with any loan, you need to be able to make the repayments, so remember to buy within your means. Getting a mortgage can be a minefield so read more here for advice you should find helpful.

    Take your time

    Don’t rush into buying your first house. There is a lot to consider, besides the financial aspects mentioned above. You want to be happy with your purchase, as you don’t want to be stuck with something impractical to your needs. Think about the location and the size of your family, for starters. Buying a house is exciting, but spending time in research and planning before signing on the dotted line will benefit you in the long run.

    Get a second opinion

    It’s easy to fall in love with a house when you are searching for the right place, but you don’t want to be blind to its shortcomings. Having a second pair of eyes will help you get some perspective, as another person may spot faults within the property that you haven’t noticed. Be it a family member, friend, or a qualified professional, listen to the advice of others before you spend a fortune on a potential money pit.

    Curb your spending

    This is your first step on the property ladder, so you don’t need to buy the house of your dreams just yet. Know what you can afford, and spend accordingly. Provided the house meets most of your needs, you can upgrade and add value to the property later. Then you can sell the home at a greater price later on, and have the means to move into something that more closely resembles your ideal home.

    We wish you great success in your new home.